Gastric Emptying Scan

How does a Gastric emptying scan work?

To measure your ability to digest food from your stomach we add a radiotracer to a certain amount of food and ask you to eat it. We then track this food through a series of short scans over a 4 hour period.

Why am I having this scan?

Typically we are looking for functional gastric obstruction and or dysmotility.

What happens when I have a gastric scan?

We prepare a toasted sandwich with egg whites and jam. We add a radiotracer to the egg whites. You are then asked to eat the egg sandwich and then drink ½ cup of water. Our staff will then place a small marker on your chest for positioning purposes. A short scan will be taken with you standing upright after you finish the sandwich. Subsequent scans will also be taken at: 1 hour, 2hour, and 3hour and 4hour intervals.

Are there any side effects?

None. You will receive a small amount of radiation from the radiotracer that is well within safety limits.

How long will this test take?

Allow 4 hours for this examination.

What are the preparations that I need to take?

Fast from: midnight the day before the procedure.

Are there any restrictions during or after the scan?

Continue fasting after your egg sandwich until the procedure is finished.

If you are breast feeding, pregnant or think that you might be pregnant, please tell the staff BEFORE the first injection.

What should I do following the test?

We ask that you:

Keep yourself well hydrated for the next 24 hours. A substantial amount of the Tc99m injection will pass out through your urine.

Keep your distance from pregnant woman or children.

If you are seeing your doctor or any other health professional immediately after your scan please notify them that you are still a source of radiation.

We ask that you do not schedule any other appointments for yourself for the rest of the day.